Model 57

[WVfishguy]

I deeply respect the folks on this forum, so I will put forth this inquiry:

I found a Model 57 no dash (.41 magnum) at a pawn shop today.

It's a 4" blued steel gun, made in 1979. It has a thin turn line on the cylinder, but other than that, the bluing is pretty much perfect. The timing is like that of a new-in-the-box revolver - no cylinder play, perfect lock up. It HAS been fired, but not much. I think the original owner shot 1/2 a box of ammo, then pawned it.

On the down side, it does not have the original grips - it has rubber Pachmayrs.

I have no .41 magnums, so I'd have to buy .41 dies, etc.

I can get it for $530, out the door.

Two questions:
1. Should I buy it?

2. If I buy it, what type of grips should it have?

3. If I buy it, should I trade it for a .357 or .44 to save the cost of buying more reloading equipment? (I currently reload for 38/.357 and .44 specials/magnums.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[P&R Fan]

I really don't know what the going rate is, but if it were me I'd buy it. I have one like it and really enjoy it. If you're looking to trade I'm not sure how well you'd do. My advice is to keep it and save for your next one. Of course that's easy for me to say since it's your money, but that's how I built my modest collection. Most of the people you encounter on here are infected with the S@W fever. Nobody's seeking a cure that I know of.

 

[toroflow1]

That's a definite BUY! If you choose not to, please PM me the info and I will buy it!

 

[VonFatman]

That's a great deal. Go back and buy the gun. Save up to re-load for the gun...I'd not trade/sell your other Smith.

If you need reloading tips/suggested loads....check out the reloading forum here.

Drop me an e-mail and I'll send you mine.

That gun is WORTH the money with that 4" tube...does it have the original wood target stocks? Box?

Here's a pic of the grips I suspect it will have.

Bob

 

[Iggy]

Grab it and run.

That is a good deal. I got one in a pawn shop last summer for $520.

I hot footed it out of there, before they discovered their mistake.

I have since been offered $800 for it.

 

[epj]

I would be reaching for my wallet in a hurry. That gun is seriously underpriced. If you keep it, you can only enjoy the .41 Mag to its full potential by reloading. Suggest you invest the savings on the gun in some additional dies.

 

[00blkgt]

Just go get it. If you decide later that you are not happy I would feel confident that someone on this board will buy it. I don't even recall seeing one of those in the past few years.

 

[jubela#4]

That is a definate buy. Since you already reload I would save and get dies to reload the .41. I recently bought a no dash 4 inch model 57 for 600.00 and thought I got a good deal on it.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Buy, Buy, Buy...

I found one on Gunbroker, last year for $450. Initial bid. It had pachs and appeared to have some blueing problems.

Being the smart butt that I am, I bid the $450 and forgot about it. Got an email a week later and found I was the winner for that $450 + $30 shipping. As Gomer said, suprise, suprise, suprise.

I got the gun in and found that the initial blueing problems were in the pix rather than the gun. Bought a set of factory grips at the gun show and never looked back.

That price quoted you is a good price for a great gun. Worth the investment of the gun and the reloading gear.

You'll get great enjoyment from it.

 

[jcelect]

What's The serial number?

You stated "Model 57 no dash (.41 magnum) " so if it is an S serial prefix, the price goes up! If it's a real early S serial number, the price goes up! Depending on the serial number the gun might need "coke" grips, diamond grips, or plain target grips to be correct. Just send me the phone number of the shop and I will help you out with your dilemma, please? ! ? !
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[toroflow1]

You stated "Model 57 no dash (.41 magnum) " so if it is an S serial prefix, the price goes up! If it's a real early S serial number, the price goes up! Depending on the serial number the gun might need "coke" grips, diamond grips, or plain target grips to be correct. Just send me the phone number of the shop and I will help you out with your dilemma, please? ! ? !
jcelect SWCA#LM723

57 no dashers were made up thru 1981. It most probably is NOT an "S" serial prefix.

 

[jcelect]

True statment Ken!

However the 57 was introduced in 1964 at serial #S227750 with the change to N series in 1969 at #S333454. As for the grips , the diamond grips were dropped 1968 and the speed loader cutouts were started in the early 80s.
jcelect

 

[s3dcor]

I purchased a 57-1 (1986) from a local pawn shop in November for $525. No box or papers but near new condition and with the 8-3/8" barrel and I was happy. When you consider the new ones have a MSRP of over $1100 and are listed on GB in the $900 range it sounds like a buy to me.

 

[Iggy]

So! The whole world wants to know, Did you buy the darned gun yet???

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

This is my S prefix 57. These are the correct grips for your gun if it had an N prefix. This one was built in late '68 according to S&W, but shipped in June '70 according to Mr. Jinks-

 

[WVfishguy]

This is a very tough decision.

While the shop has the minty Model 57, it also has two other guns I really want - a nearly new RG in .38, and a very nice Hi Point .380 semi-auto.

I've been wanting a good RG for quite some time, and the Hi Point in .380 is probably the best gun available, anywhere, anytime.

Both are better guns than that icky .41 magnum.

 

[Iggy]

Somebody get a rope!!!!

 

[WVfishguy]

I'M KIDDING!

I bought the Model 57.

I had to drive 50 miles, both ways (100 mile round trip) to get money out of my bank, but I wanted to pay cash and I wanted to get that 57 before one of you guys snagged it.

Here's the thing; a local ordinance in Charleston, West Virginia, mandates a three-day waiting period for the sale of hand guns. You actually have to fill out a municipal form similar to the federal form required for purchasing guns - and I believe it also prohibits buying more than one gun per month.

Anyway, that's why I have not posted photos - even though I have paid for the gun, I'll have to wait until I'm in Charleston on Saturday to pick it up.

I'll post photos ASAP

Thanks for all the replies, you guys are GREAT. I knew I'd get it, but it's nice to be reassured that I've done the right thing.

Ironically, the wife and I were planning on going up there even before I bought the 57, because there is a GUNSHOW this weekend!

BTW - the Serial number is N6695XX

 

[Iggy]

Looks to be a 79-80 vintage
Duh! Looks like you already knew that.

I think you will like it. If not, you've got some bodacious trading material.

 

[dewidmt]

I bought a 4" Mod 57 back in Tucson in 1997 for $300! But someone had had it Magna-ported. I don't think the pawn shop knew what it had. SN# has it as a first year gun- 1964.